Services

Formats of Counseling

Individual – One-on-one counseling in
order to address personal concerns or for treatment of a psychiatric diagnosis.

Couples – Two romantically involved partners meeting with a counselor to specifically address concerns related to their relationship.

Group – Multiple individuals typically
from different backgrounds meeting together with a counselor
to address various individual issues or a shared problem
(e.g. men’s
issues, alcoholism, grief/loss, etc.). Participation in a
group is subject to approval by the leading counselor.

In all formats, at least one initial intake session is required
to ensure proper evaluation, diagnosis, if applicable, and
treatment planning.

Types of Counseling

Dynamic-Interpersonal – a non-directive, open-ended approach that explores unconscious influences on thought, feeling, and action as well as one’s relationships with others, including one’s current family and family of origin. In this approach, the counselor is less active and acts as a facilitator in observing patterns of thinking and feeling. In general, this approach tends to be longer term and better suited to addressing long standing problems, similar problems that appear in different contexts, or personality issues.

Existential – another non-directive, dynamic approach that focuses more on shared philosophical issues of the human condition and how they may influence one’s psychological situation. These concerns include meaning, isolation, relationships, creativity, freedom, responsibility, spirituality, and death, among others.

Cognitive-Behavioral - a directive approach
that tends to focus directly on thoughts and behaviors that
are contributing to one’s distress. This process may involve “homework” assignments
to complete between sessions. This approach tends to be shorter
term and is more applicable with individuals experiencing
a problem of relatively recent onset and/or distinct origin.
A majority of my couples counseling is, at least initially,
cognitive-behavioral in efforts to immediately establish
more adaptive patterns between partners.

Hours of Service

I regularly see clients Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
from 9 AM until 7 PM. Additional appointments
are available on other days and times, including mornings,
evenings, and weekends, pending availability. I am always
accepting new clients and can usually provide an appointment
within the week. Regular recurring appointments are available,
or I can accommodate varying schedules.

Frequency

The majority of clients attend counseling once per week. Occasionally, attending twice per week or more often is suggested by me or requested by a client as a means of more intensely addressing particular issues. Some clients in the later phases of treatment may elect to come once every two weeks or even less. In most cases, my recommendation is usually to attend at least once per week in order to maintain continuity.

Rates of Service

I do offer a negotiable sliding fee scale if financial circumstances
warrant. In order to apply, documentation of one’s current household
income is required. If interested, please contact me for more information.
My goal is that cost would not be a barrier to appropriate treatment.

Insurance

I generally accept insurance on an out-of-network basis.
In this case, If you elect to use your insurance, you
will be responsible for my full fee at the time of service
and then the insurance company will reimburse you directly
for an established percentage of the fee. As a courtesy, I can process
the insurance claim for you and have the reimbursement sent to you directly.
Occasionally, I also participate as an in-network provider
for a limited number of insurance companies. My status with insurance
plans may change so please inquire if I am participating in your plan
when contacting me for an initial appointment. If I am participating
in your plan, you are responsible for the co-pay amount at the time
services are rendered and I will process the insurance claim for you.
In any case, you are responsible for any claims denied by your insurance
company. Please note that insurance companies will generally not reimburse
without the client qualifying for a psychiatric diagnosis. In addition,
most insurance companies will not reimburse for couples counseling unless
one or both of the participants qualifies for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Mental health benefits can vary greatly, so please contact your program
representative for specific information. A detailed article regarding
the potential implications of using medical insurance for mental health
counseling can be found here.

Method of Payment

Cash or personal checks are acceptable for payment.
Please note that credit or debit cards are not accepted
and payment is due when services are rendered unless
other arrangements are made. An additional fee of $50
will apply for any items returned unpaid. Balances past
due over 60 days will be submitted to an agency for collection.